Canon PowerShot S410

- Buttons are flush with the compact body (allowing my hands to roam the camera without constant concern of mistakenly pressed buttons)
- Share setting for Direct Print printing capabilities (allows this camera to go from onscreen LCD image viewing to a completed and printed image from the user’s home)
- Easy-to-use Auto Mode

- Viewfinder is undersized and illogically placed, making it useless
- Oddly labeled Menu and Function buttons
- Partially manual control settings (made me feel as though Canon didn’t fully trust me to make my own decisions)

Conclusion
For a user looking for more than a simple point-and-shoot camera, but who perhaps isn’t ready for a fully manual digital camera, this compact model by Canon steps in as a solution. The manual control available often has automatic aspects built in, which may be frustrating for those who want complete control during shooting. The CCD is sizable for the price, and its 3.0x optical zoom is largely standard for cameras within this price bracket. Its AiAF focusing allows for more automatic focusing features, and its DIGIC processing system allows for faster in-camera adjustments. This camera is able to capture up to three minutes of video footage through its hybrid options, and play it back on a 1.5-inch LCD. For US $399.00, this camera ends up being a strong candidate for a user needing both automatic controls and basic manual manipulation.